About the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

"The Chamber of Commerce serves as both advocate and partner to develop businesses, large and small. Its dedicated staff and committed volunteers drive leadership and development programming and champion revitalization, enriching our county and positioning us to attract and retain incredible talent. Whether developing the arts community, encouraging entrepreneurs or supporting established businesses, the Chamber inspires creativity and fuels growth… and that strengthens our entire community." - Jim Griffith, Retired President & CEO, The Timken Company

In This Section...

We focus intently on these specific areas

Growth, Expansion & New Business

We work every day to provide assistance to area companies, primarily in the industrial and commercial sectors, as they seek to grow and expand their businesses. That, along with relocating new companies to the area and fostering new business startups, is the dominant theme of our strategic plan. The result is a growth in investment and jobs in Canton/Stark County.

Developing an Educated Region

The Chamber’s Education Committee is the hub of numerous efforts, short-term and ongoing, to build partnerships between business and education in our region. This work centers on the need for an educated workforce, and the promotion of efforts by our partners to raise the area’s high school graduation rates, college attendance rates and college graduation rates.

The Voice of Growth In Stark County

The Chamber works to maintain strong, positive relationships with the area’s elected officials, at the federal, state and local levels. We help business leaders connect directly with government leaders to serve the cause of economic development and business growth. We maintain a non-partisan relationship with all officeholders and continually espouse a pro-growth agenda.

Seeking Consensus on Business Issues

The Chamber’s Public Policy department studies issues of legislation and regulation that affect business success among all of our nearly 1,600 members, but particularly in the manufacturing, healthcare, transportation and energy sectors. We seek to achieve a consensus position, and then we advocate that position among members of the U.S. House and Senate, the Ohio General Assembly, the regulatory bodies created by federal and state law, and within the councils of local and county government.

What it means to be a member

A distinct business advantage. Access and visibility. The best networking in Stark County. Those are just a few of the benefits your company and employees can expect when you join the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Our programs and services are designed exclusively to help you connect with our network of nearly 1,600 member companies—making us Canton/Stark County’s largest business association, since 1914.

As a member, you’re a part of a powerful business network made up of like-minded businesses and business owners, who, like you, are dedicated to success and growth in Stark County.

Here at the Chamber, we work hard every day to create a pro-business environment for businesses of all sizes. And through our exceptional and unique departments, we touch every aspect of doing business in Stark County. From leadership training, education and workforce development, travel and tourism, and young professional engagement, to safety resources, downtown rejuvenation and world-class entertainment events, your Chamber is dedicated to making Canton/Stark County an ideal place to live, work and play.

Chamber Departments

Learn about our specific departments and their individual missions for providing the best to Canton/Stark area businesses and citizens.

CANTON DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

Canton Development Partnership (CDP) is a coalition of area development organizations and city government that shares an interest in downtown Canton’s continuous improvement, revitalization, image and quality of life for its citizens.

The CDP’s mission is to support and coordinate the activities and programs of its partnering organizations in order to encourage and sustain community and economic development in downtown Canton. The CDP also strives to bring people to the center city through downtown events and festivals throughout the year.

The partnering organizations include Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Canton Special Improvement District Inc. (SID), Downtown Canton Land Bank (DCLB Corp.), Canton Tomorrow Inc. (CTI) and the City of Canton.

LEADERSHIP STARK COUNTY

Through training in leadership skills and education about the community, Leadership Stark County (LSC) develops motivated leaders, with lifelong commitment to community trusteeship. LSC programs include:

Leadership Signature Program – 10-month program for a diverse group of participants that aims to enhance leadership skills and identifies local and regional issues, assets and resources.

Government Leadership Academy – six-week course that offers elected officials and aspiring candidates leadership development and education about local and regional government.

Spotlight Stark County – a six-session personal and professional development program and community engagement for young professionals.

Encounter Bus Tour – one-day program designed for professionals who are new to the area, it highlights historic, economic and cultural assets of Stark County.

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME ENSHRINEMENT FESTIVAL

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival "Celebrates Excellence" each year in Canton, Ohio. Approximately 700,000 residents and visitors enjoy 20+ diverse events over a two-week period, producing an economic impact of approximately $32 million for the Canton/Stark County area. The annual celebration surrounding the enshrinement of football heroes into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is the culmination of a year-long planning process by the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, along with a team of more than 4,500 extraordinary volunteers who receive outstanding support from sponsors, community leaders, government entities, local citizens and visiting guests.

For over 50 years, we have remained strongly committed to assuring safe and successful Enshrinement Festival events that continue to produce a positive social and economic impact and bring national recognition to our community, and to encouraging year-round enjoyment of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and our other numerous community assets.

STARK COUNTY SAFETY COUNCIL

The Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, with support from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (OBWC) Division of Safety & Hygiene, administers Stark County Safety Council (SCSC). The mission of the SCSC is to provide a forum for safety and health information, education and networking in Stark County, through leadership, innovation, facilitation, program, and support, in partnership with other public and private organizations.

The educational programming, monitoring of safety issues and operation of the Council is coordinated by a volunteer steering committee. SCSC conducts monthly meetings, workshops and seminars that examine and resolve potential and existing safety problems and inform participants about new techniques, products and services.

In addition, SCSC executes a quality safety campaign to promote greater interest in the prevention of occupational accidents and disease and recognizes companies with the best safety records during the annual Safety Awards Banquet. There is no membership fee. Members are required to attend a minimum number of programs annually and complete semi-annual safety reports. The Stark County Safety Council remains one of the top councils out of more than 80 in the State of Ohio being named third in 2006, 2009 and 2010, second in 2014, first in 2005 and 2007 and receiving an honorable mention in 2008 and 2011 by OBWC for its membership growth and excellent programming.

YSTARK! YOUNG PROFESSIONAL INITIATIVE

ystark! works to attract, retain and engage vibrant, energetic and diverse young professionals (YPs) in Stark County by collaborating with individuals, businesses and community organizations. The organization is dedicated to engaging and empowering YPs through networking, professional development, social and cultural events, civic involvement and philanthropy. These efforts will help to root YPs in the community and therefore retain them as productive citizens. ystark! continuously promotes Stark County as a desirable location for young professionals to live, work and play.

Visit www.ystark.org for more information and a full list of exciting upcoming events!